Chapter 9 (Windswept Kennin-ji) is the opening of the second arc. Musashi climbs the four-tier temple compound to sever a corrupting ley-line node. Vertical level design, new Lantern Genma archetype, and a Nue mini-boss at the bell tower climax the chapter. Estimated 2.5–3 hours.
1. Chapter Overview
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Chapter | 9 — "Windswept Kennin-ji" |
| Estimated Time | 2.5 – 3 hours |
| Difficulty | Medium |
| Setting | Kennin-ji temple compound, four-tier vertical climb |
| Story Summary | Musashi returns to Kyoto and ascends the historic Kennin-ji temple, where a corrupting Genma signal originates from a sealed underground chamber. He must clear three floors of cultists and beasts to reach the bell tower and disrupt the signal. |
| Key Unlocks | Vertical Issen unlock (Wall-Run Issen), Lanterna Tonic recipe, Nuetier (Nue) soul core, Hozuki Pouch token |
| Recommended Level | 18 – 20 |
Chapter 9 ("Windswept Kennin-ji") is a 2.5 – 3 hours segment of the 22-mission main story of Onimusha: Way of the Sword. The structure, enemy compositions, and item placements below are based on the verified first-week launch state. Use the walkthrough checklist to track every encounter, item, and missable. Recommended for players clearing the chapter for the first time on Difficulty Mode II — the chapter scales to whatever level you enter.
2. Main Objectives
- Arrive at the Kennin-ji main gate and speak with the head priest
- Clear the lower courtyard of Genma Brutes (3 × 4 waves)
- Ascend to the second tier via the bell rope ladder
- Solve the lantern puzzle in the meditation hall
- Reach the bell tower roof and defeat the Nue mini-boss
- Activate the sealing sigil at the top floor to end the chapter
3. Walkthrough
Sections In This Chapter
Section 1 — Enter Kennin-ji
Spawn at the southern foot of the temple approach. Two Genma Brutes patrol the gate. Use the new low-stance Mountain Breaker (acquired in Chapter 7) to stagger them simultaneously before they can flank you off the narrow path.
After the gate cinematic, head straight up the stone stairs past the prayer wheel. Three Genma Cultists throw talismans from the second tier; deflect each talisman and Issen the thrower. The deflected talisman deals bonus damage on its return arc.
Section 2 — Lower Courtyard Combat
A 4-wave Genma Brute gauntlet occupies the lower courtyard. Wave 1 (3 Brutes), Wave 2 (3 Brutes + 2 Archers on the temple roof), Wave 3 (4 Brutes), Wave 4 (4 Brutes + 1 Lantern Genma Captain).
The Lantern Genma Captain buffs nearby Brutes (+15% damage) every 12 seconds. Prioritize the Captain: a fully charged Issen will one-shot him and break the buff aura instantly.
After clearing the courtyard, a cutscene introduces the Onmyoji-priest NPC who will sell you the Lanterna Tonic recipe.
Section 3 — Vertical Climb to Bell Tower
Three vertical sequences connect the tiers: the bell rope ladder (QTE climbing), the wall-run gauntlet across the meditation-hall rafters, and the lantern-puzzle rooms on tier 3.
The bell rope ladder triggers the Wall-Run Issen tutorial. Tap LT+A while wall-running to perform a chained Issen off the wall. This skill is required for the Chapter 13 bridge gauntlet and the Chapter 20 mountain summit.
The lantern puzzle on tier 3: rotate four lantern sconces in clockwise order (RB→A→Y→X) within 25 seconds. Each correct rotation drains a corruption node from the meditation hall floor.
Section 4 — Nue Mini-Boss
The bell tower is the chapter's set-piece fight. The Nue descends from the storm clouds above Kennin-ji, plummeting through three rooftop rings before you can clobber it down for the kill.
The Nue has three phases. Phase 1 (HP 100–70%) swoops in and out; parry each dive. Phase 2 (HP 70–30%) summons two Brutes; stagger-dodge to them and throw. Phase 3 (HP 30–0%) reveals the Nue core — three fully-charged Issens to the chest will end it.
Defeating the Nue unlocks the Nue Soul Core for your gauntlet (press-and-hold RT to activate a wind burst that staggers all airborne Genma).
Section 5 — Sealing Sigil
After the Nue falls, climb the final ladder to the sealing chamber. Press Y at the sigil. A 20-second meditation cutscene ensues while the temple's corruption drains away.
Skip the cutscene with B if you have already seen it. The sealing sigil also opens the Chapter 10 fast-travel waypoint back to the Onmyoji's shop.
4. Key Items & Collectibles
| Item | Location | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Lanterna Tonic (recipe) | Onmyoji shop (tier 2 courtyard) | Restores 30% lantern uptime for 90 s |
| Nue Soul Core | Bell tower boss | Wind-burst gauntlet ability |
| Hozuki Pouch token #5 | Hidden behind tier 3 sconce #4 | +1 pouch slot |
| Sun-Dried Hozuki x4 | Priest reward after sigil | Crafting material |
| Skill Seal — Wall-Run Issen | Bell rope ladder tutorial | New skill |
| Talisman — Lantern Aura | Tier 3 sconce puzzle reward | +10% deflect window when near lit lantern |
5. Missables
- Hidden lore scroll behind the bell rope — if you climb the rope without checking the back of the bell wheel you miss the "Priest's Confession" lore document. Not a mechanical missable, but a story missable.
- Hozuki Pouch token #5 — the tier-3 sconce puzzle hides the token; if you fail the 25-second puzzle the token is replaced with a common Spirit Stone.
- Onmyoji's gratitude dialogue — after the sigil, talk to the priest before fast-traveling, otherwise his "Pre-corruption memories" scene is locked out for the rest of New Game Plus.
- Wall-Run Issen tutorial prompt — if you skip the tutorial prompt the tutorial reward skill seal is missed but the move itself is still granted at chapter end.
6. Soul Farming Opportunities
| Location | Enemies | Souls / Clear | Respawns? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower courtyard (clear) | 4 Genma Brute waves + Lantern Captain | ~640 yellow | Yes (NG+) |
| Bell rope ladder | 2 Genma Cultists | ~140 yellow | Yes (NG+) |
| Tier 3 lantern room | 1 Lantern Captain + 2 Brutes | ~260 yellow | Yes (NG+) |
7. Chapter Checklist
Track your Chapter 9 run below. Selections are stored locally in your browser and persist between visits.